About

The new generation of travel - Two backpacks for women

€36,448

pledged of €15,000 goal

160

backers

Nowadays we don’t only go on the classic 2 weeks long-distance travel, but choose to go on a world trip for several months, get on a plane for a short weekend trip, get into a car for a road trip or take a train to go shopping in the capital for a few days. The fact is: We need to be flexible - and therefore our luggage as well!

Important things first: Both backpacks were developed specifically for women!

For that reason, we created two multifunctional backpacks, which are resizable and can be used everywhere for any occasion due to their modern design – whether you find yourself in a 5-star hotel or on a classic backpacking trip.

Until now you could only find the classic rustic backpacker backpacks with one big compartment, many unnecessary straps and usually there was not even a small backpack for hand luggage to go with it.

This is how the reality of travelling looks like today: Women travel with heavy luggage, bags with little function while not looking stylish at all! Nothing fits together and not even the comfort is satisfying:

After many years of traveling I - as an intensive traveller - did not want to take this anymore! Why are there no functional and at the same time good looking backpacks, which meet the needs of so many travelling women and backpackers? That is why I created something we women need on short or long trips, together with a popular German bag and backpack producer.

Believe me, it was really difficult to include all change requests in a new backpack that is supposed to be the perfect travel companion. But after many months of development we did it! And here are the new features:

1. Maximize space!

A real revolution: One backpack – two sizes! It can either be used as carry-on luggage on a plane or changed into a big backpack! No matter if you are going on a weekend trip or on a world trip for a few months – with this carry-on everything is possible! In only few seconds you can open another compartment and the backpack expands from 40 litres to 58 liters. The weight is only 1,632 g.

2. Multifunction!

Backpack, shoulder bag or bag with a carry handle – 3 in 1, everything is possible! You can easily hide the straps in the back. Then you only have to decide between bag or shoulder bag…

3. Style!

Have you ever been in this situation? You are actually on a backpacking trip but want to check into a nice hotel once in a while and are embarrassed about your luggage? We wanted to develop a backpack that always looks good. Instead of the classic outdoor look, our backpack is made out of a trendy material, which is resistant and water repellent nevertheless.

4. Order!

While most backpacks and suitcases only have one or two compartments, in reality we actually need so many more accessible compartments– similar to a cupboard, where everything has its own place.

5. Safety!

When we go on a trip we usually want to take our favourite things with us, which should be safely protected. That is why we equipped the main compartment, and the top for documents, money etc., with security zippers, which can be locked with a padlock.

And even when you happen to leave your bag open in a hotel for example, there is a hidden pocket in the main compartment, in which you can stow your passport, money and other valuables safely and invisibly.

6. Matching accessories

The ergonomic shoulder strap with its non-slip shoulder pad ensures a very comfortable fit - over your shoulder as well as across your chest.

Despite the many zip compartments, you can further optimise your order. Therefore we developed a pack set, in which you can store clothes, shoes and liquids.

The material of the carry-on is water resistant, but for long periods of rain or for protection against sand and dirt it is worth it to use the supplied rain cape.

The pack set (4 pieces), the shoulder strap and the rain cover are part of the basic kickstarter package.

Here are some more extras for the Carry-On:

1. Flight Pack Sack

I'm sure you have been in this situation before: your backpack arrives dirty on the baggage carousel at the airport. For this purpose we have developed a stylish cape, which only weighs 267g and has a shoulder strap. It is foldable into a small package, you can extend it by zipper to the size of the big backpack and use it for other purposes like sports, going to the beach etc.!

2. Waist Belt

If you already know that you are going to use the extended version of the backpack often - so the "big backpack", this hip belt is the right accessory for you. You can use it variably and it only weighs 208g. The belt has a small zip compartment in the front for money, smartphone and other small things.

For those of you, which do not want to travel with the carry-on but instead need a functional backpack for daytrips, for your hand luggage or to wear in front of your chest in addition to a big backpack, we have developed a stylish and functional backpack, which also has unique features:

1. Expand your needs!

As already said: it's a revolution! One backpack - two sizes! It can either be used as a little daypack or changed into a bigger backpack for your hand luggage! In only few seconds you can open another compartment and the backpack expands from 21 litres to 28 litres. The weight is only 924 g.

2. Function!

If there is one thing women have in common, it is carrying many small items: Cosmetics, pens, cables, notes etc. So the task was: How do you combine maximal function with good looks? And here is the result: 13 clever compartments, which do not compromise the optics!

Further the reversed opening of the top is not only safer but also allows a quicker and better access when you are wearing the backpack in front of your chest. Laptop (13''), tablet and Kindle have their own, safe place and are easily and quickly ready by hand - secured by a big velcro pad.

3. Style!

The backpack is supposed to be suitable for every life situation - optically as well as functionally. Whether you are walking through town, are on the way to do sports, riding a bike, going on a daytrip, going tracking, taking photos or climbing the highest mountain, it will make you look good everywhere!

4. Safety!

Especially in big crowds, at public places or in public transport, you can not keep an eye on your belongings and valuables at all times when you are wearing a backpack on your back. For that reason, this backpack has "kissing sliders" for the front and the top compartment, which can be locked with a padlock.

5. Matching accessories!

A good travel backpack has to have several more features in our opinion:

1. A Camera Pouch, in which you can safely transport your camera and camera lenses and which is quickly accessible. You can either store the pouch in the bottom part of the backpack or in the top.

2. A Clutch for many small items that women tend to take with them: cosmetics, pens, phone, or maybe a wet bikini they used shortly before leaving. You can also use the clutch as a beach or evening bag for your most important things and wear it around your wrist.

3. A Rain Cover. The material is water resistant, but at times you might need more protection against heavy rain, snow or sand and dirt, or when you find yourself in a not so clean place.

The camera pouch, the clutch and the rain cover are part of the basic kickstarter package.

Most of the time, women travel with backpack combinations that do not really fit together. We wanted to create backpacks, that don't only optically harmonise but at the same time are functionally usable in almost every situation - from short trips to long distance trips.

Two exceedingly unique features:

2 backpacks - 4 different sizes! When you use both backpacks you have the choice - you can either use 61 litres (21l + 40l) in total or expand your luggage easily and within seconds by zipper to a total of 86 litres (28l + 58l)!

2 Backpacks as wardrobe trunks! In total you have 26 compartments (13 each), in which you can stow away your small and big belongings - more order than that is impossible!

Do I need both backpacks?

My goal was to create a combination for a new generation of backpacking - with all the features that you need on trips of any kind. Every backpack is a full-complete, thought out product, but together they are unbeatable for travelling: small or big trip, in total 26 compartments, safe against theft, water resistant, with rain covers and extra bags for camera equipment, clothes, wet bikini, cosmetics etc. With both backpacks together you will very unlikely get into a situation you are not prepared for optically as well as functionally!

As an experienced traveller and well-known German travel blogger (Ute Kranz - BRAVEBIRD | Instagram) I realized on my world trip two years ago that in all these years of travelling I had never really owned a backpack (neither for the back nor for the front), which met my needs, neither optically nor functionally. Almost all backpacks – large and small – have one big hole, in which you throw all your stuff. To be permanently looking for your things and having a continuous chaos is simply horrible, isn’t it? This was the moment, which made me want to change something.

So I contacted popular backpack producers and got together with CRUMPLER Europe in Germany, who have successfully produced high quality bags and backpacks for over 20 years now. My female blog readers have helped me decide on lots of details during the development processes and in the end it became a product made by women for women, which I am very proud of. And today I can proudly present two backpack prototypes for girls and women, which meet all my desires – and hopefully yours too!

To be able to produce and design a high quality and long-lasting product, you need the help of a company that has a lot of experience and reputation in this area. CRUMPLER Europe recently received a design award for their own new travel collection and was therefore the right partner for me and my philosophy to improve travelling for women optically as well as functionally.

The development and design took over 10 months, from which I spent 3 weeks in Ho Chi Minh/Vietnam to get a deep insight into the production and I was thrilled. You can't surpass the combination of high quality and long-term experience in my opinion and it reflects the high value of the materials and the many different, unique features.

First of all, thumbs up! Not only because you will soon be holding a great product for your next big adventure in your hands, but also because you are supporting my heart project, which cost me many months of work, research and sleepless nights. And of course YOU are contributing to the cause that two prototypes get to enter the international market as real backpacks!

Here is what you have to do: Choose one of these packages and press the green button »Back this project«. Then you follow the instructions and receive regular updates from me concerning the process, how it is progressing and when your backpack is on its way to you <3 Just for your information: Your credit card will be charged when the project reaches its funding deadline - in the middle of May.

Risks and challenges

As with any journey, we can stumble upon unexpected challenges while producing and delivering your BRAVEBIRD Backpack with its accessories. We have worked hard to set it all in place to ensure we produce and deliver on time.

Manufacturing: I share a professional and personal relationship with Crumpler Europe, the producer of the BRAVEBIRD backpacks. They have already produced high quality bags and backpacks for over 20 years, so basically, there won't be any problems with the quality or delivery of the products, as long as there aren't any external factors such as natural disasters, strikes, wars or the like.

Complexity of order fulfilment: Everybody knows that some Kickstarter projects have issues fulfilling pledges on time. Given the extensive experience with integrated product development, you're not going to have that problem. I have manufacturing agreements in place and logistic partnerships, and your backpack(s) will be ready to be produced and shipped once this project is funded.

Product adjustments: As we continue to test and trial the backpacks and accessories, we may need to make some small adjustments to improve the products. This will be for your benefit - and I will let you know every time if we improve something.

Customs: The goods for backers in the US and European Union will be delivered custom cleared. For backers from other places globally, I will work hard to ensure everything runs smoothly, but in the end I can't guarantee you won't experience delays or that you will be charged import duties.